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Want signs that still look sharp 10 years from now?
Digital screens get all the attention in wayfinding right now. But here’s the thing…
Most folks are wayfinding with physical signage. Signs on walls, posts and doors. Those signs have to endure:
This is why the substrate, the mounting and the maintenance all play just as important a role as the design does.
Time to dive in!
Here’s what’s inside:
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Wayfinding is a lucrative industry. The worldwide market for wayfinding systems was valued at USD 17.3 billion in 2025, and will continue to expand.
So much of that money gets poured into screens and kiosks. OK, fair enough. But a screen can’t do everything…
Screens go dark when there’s a power outage. They require software upgrades. They can only be used where there’s an outlet.
Physical signs just work. Every minute of every day.
And people really need them. Studies have found that almost one-third of first-time visitors to hospitals become lost. Imagine that when you’re anxious and late for your appointment.
Good signs fix that problem. But only if they stay in good shape.
Here’s where most wayfinding projects go wrong.
Designers agonise for weeks over fonts, colours and icons. Signs get constructed out of whatever’s cheapest. After six months they’re cracked, faded or scratched.
The fix? Pick your material based on where the sign will live.
A sign that hangs in a high traffic area like a corridor, car park or school is going to get bumped. By trolleys, bags, balls, bumpers… you name it.
That is where an impact resistant plastic sheet shines. When it is struck it flexes slightly rather than cracking like glass or denting like thin metal. Durable polyethylene sheets are an increasingly common choice for high impact sign panels. They are able to withstand abuse, will not rust and tolerate moisture. They are also very workable and can be easily cut, routed and engraved so a sign maker can create nearly any shape.
Polycarbonate is also a great option. It is see-through like glass, however much stronger. It works great for protective sign faces and display covers.
Aluminium is lightweight, durable and corrosion resistant. Aluminium is the preferred material for outdoor directional signs and post-mounted panels.
Don’t be deceived though… It will dent. An aluminium panel 1mm thick at bumper height will show wear very quickly.
Acrylic looks amazing. It’s glossy, clear and prints beautifully.
The downside? Fragile. Much more brittle than other plastics. Use only for indoor areas out of the way of human contact such as reception walls and office partitions.
Tip: Blend your materials. You might want to place a durable impact resistant plastic sheet low where the impact will occur and use decorative finishes higher above.
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Even the best sign fails if it falls off the wall.
Mounting is wayfinding’s best kept secret. But it’s also what determines if your sign lasts 1x year or fifteen.
Here are the main options:
So which one should you use?
That depends on the wall conditions and the amount of traffic. Inside an office on clean painted plaster an adhesive will work just fine. Rough brick? Outdoors in the rain? It will come loose eventually.
Mechanical fixings are best for areas that see high traffic volumes. An additional consideration would be tamper-proof screws. These screws require a special bit to remove them. This will deter anyone from stealing a sign.
Consider height, too. Signs placed too low are prone to kicking and bumping. Signs placed too high tend to be ignored. Important signs should be close to eye level. Tactile and braille signs should be reachable by hand.
Remember to allow for expansion. Plastic expands and contracts slightly with heat. Drill holes for the screws slightly larger than necessary to allow the panel to move without splitting around the screws.
This is the bit that saves the most money…
Signs typically don’t expire suddenly. They peel and scratch gradually.
Take Wyoming for example. Out of 476 road signs scheduled to be replaced in one district, 77 percent were peeling, faded or flaking. Vandals didn’t cause most of the damage. Good old wear and tear did.
Vandalism still stings, though. New Zealand’s Department of Conservation spent more than $350,000 on signage in one year alone. Keyed, smashed, shot-ruined signs are a big part of that.
The good news? A simple routine stops most of this before it gets expensive.
Walk the whole site every 6 months. Check each sign for:
Out-of-date signs can be deceptive. One department relocates, one room number changes…now your sign is misleading people.
Abrasive cleaners can scratch plastic and fade printed graphics. Warm water and gentle soap are effective on most signs. Use a soft cloth, not a scourer.
If you need to remove graffiti from a sign, consult your sign maker prior to grabbing a heavy solvent. Some finishes allow paint to wipe cleanly off. Others will be damaged.
Here’s a little trick the pros use…
Create signage with interchangeable inserts. Need to update a room or replace a damaged panel? Simply remove the existing insert and swap it out with a new one. No drilling necessary. No new frame required. Simple.
Another good idea is to store a few extras. That way you can replace a broken sign in days instead of months.
Pretty simple, right?
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Screens are great. But physical signs are still the backbone of good wayfinding.
To quickly recap:
Do the 3 big things right…materials, mounting and maintenance…and your signs will point people the right way for years.
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If you found this post useful you might like to read these post about Graphic Design Inspiration.
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